HC Deb 30 March 1885 vol 296 cc982-3
MR. SEXTON

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, with regard to the undertaking given by the late Chief Secretary on the 22nd July 1884, in Debate on the Estimate for the Local Government (Ireland) Board, Whether that Board will insist upon their auditor's surcharge of an item of £40 in the accounts of the Corporation of Dublin for 1883, being the amount of expense incurred by the Civic officials of Dublin in attending in state with the Lord Mayor at the Irish Industrial Exhibition at Cork, in obedience to an order of the Municipal Council; and, whether this surcharge was made by the auditor on the ground that the expense in question could not be deemed to have been incurred for the public benefit of the inhabitants of Dublin?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

It is quite true that the auditor made this surcharge on the grounds stated; and the Local Government Board, who have recently taken advice on the question, have been informed that the reasons stated by the auditor for the disallowance are legal. In these circumstances, the Board had no other course open to them than to make an order confirming the decision of the auditor.

MR. SEXTON

Might I ask if the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the Dublin Corporation expended a sum of money for providing a banner for the London Exhibition; and whether this sum was surcharged?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

I am not aware.

MR. GRAY

Might I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is not in his power, as President of the Local Government Board, to abstain from enforcing surcharges which may be technically legal, but which entail a hardship on individuals?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

was understood to say that the matter rested with the auditor.